CN111542691A

CN111542691A - Engine generator

Info

Publication number: CN111542691A
Application number: CN201880080864.5A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 加势拓男
Original assignee: Honda Motor Co Ltd
Current assignee: Honda Motor Co Ltd
Priority date: 2017-12-19
Filing date: 2018-08-03
Publication date: 2020-08-14
Also published as: US20210199073A1; WO2019123707A1; US11187195B2

Abstract

The problem is to prevent fuel in a liquid state from entering a tank while using the tank with a large capacity in an engine generator. An engine generator is provided, which comprises a generator, an engine, a fuel tank (31), a tank (36) for collecting evaporated fuel, and pipes (41, 41a, 41c) for connecting the tank (36) and the fuel tank (31) in a housing (10), wherein the pipes (41, 41a, 41c) have pipe parts (41a) provided in the fuel tank (31), the pipe parts (41a) project upward from a liquid surface (L) of the fuel in the fuel tank (31) in a state where the pipe parts are directed downward on the short side of the housing (10), and the pipe parts (41b) pass above the liquid surface (L) of the fuel in a state where the pipe parts are directed downward on the opposite side of the housing.

Description

Engine generator

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an engine generator, and more particularly, to a structure for protecting a tank in an engine generator.

Background

In an engine generator, an engine, a generator, a muffler, an inverter, and the like are housed inside a case in order to reduce noise during operation and protect the engine, the generator, the muffler, the inverter, and the like. Further, in order to facilitate hand-held transportation, it is desirable that the engine generator be lightweight and compact.

A tank for preventing gasoline from flowing out due to evaporation is connected to a fuel tank of the engine generator. The gas phase portion in the fuel tank and the canister are connected by a pipe, and the volatilized gasoline is adsorbed by activated carbon or the like in the canister, thereby preventing outflow.

As shown in patent document 1, a structure is known in which an adsorbent is housed in a lid of a fuel tank.

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 7-34985

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

However, in the technique described in patent document 1, since the canister is provided in the lid of the fuel tank, the capacity of the canister is limited, and it is difficult to increase the capacity of the canister to improve the fuel trapping ability.

In contrast, a large-capacity canister connected to the fuel tank by a pipe is used as compared with a simple canister provided on a lid of the fuel tank.

However, when the tank is connected to the fuel tank by the pipe, a large amount of fuel may flow into the tank through the pipe when the engine generator is tilted.

In view of the above-described conventional drawbacks, it is an object of the present invention to provide an engine generator that uses a tank of a large capacity and prevents excessive inflow of fuel into the tank.

Means for solving the problems

The specification includes the entire contents of the japanese patent application special application 2017-243061 applied 12/19/2017.

The present invention is an engine generator, which comprises: a generator; an engine driving the generator; a fuel tank for storing fuel to be supplied to the engine; a canister that traps fuel that evaporates within the fuel tank; and a pipe for connecting the canister and the fuel tank, wherein the pipe has a pipe portion provided in the fuel tank, the pipe portion extending above a liquid surface of the fuel in the fuel tank with one side surface on the short side of the casing facing downward, and the pipe portion has a portion passing above the liquid surface of the fuel in the fuel tank with the other side surface on the short side of the casing facing downward.

In the present invention, an opening/closing valve may be provided in a pipe that communicates the canister and the fuel tank.

In the present invention, the on-off valve may be linked to an operation unit that turns on and off the engine.

In the present invention, the opening/closing valve and the operation portion may be provided coaxially and integrally.

Effects of the invention

According to the engine generator of the present invention, since a part of the pipe is extended upward from the fuel liquid surface in the fuel tank by the pipe arrangement, the fuel can be prevented from entering the tank, and the entering prevention mechanism for preventing the fuel from entering the tank with excellent durability can be obtained.

Further, since the space in the fuel tank is used, the space in the case can be effectively used, and the capacity of the fuel tank can be increased.

Further, in the engine generator, a large-capacity tank can be employed.

In the above invention, the opening/closing valve may be provided in a pipe that communicates the canister with the fuel tank.

According to this configuration, a structure for preventing fuel from entering the tank can be provided in duplicate, and fuel can be reliably prevented from entering the tank.

In the above invention, the on-off valve may be interlocked with an operation unit that turns on and off the engine.

According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent fuel from entering the tank when the engine generator is stopped or in a storage state. Further, since the on-off valve is closed by the stop operation of the engine generator, the on-off valve is not forgotten to be closed. In addition, forgetting to open the on-off valve when the engine generator is started can be prevented.

In the above invention, the opening/closing valve and the operation portion may be provided coaxially and integrally.

With this configuration, the mechanism including the opening/closing valve and the operation portion can be made compact. Thus, the on-off valve linked with the operation part can be arranged with the lowest weight without the need of a connecting rod linking the on-off valve and the operation part. In addition, an increase in the operating load of the operating portion due to the opening and closing operation can be suppressed. Since the opening and closing valve is directly operated by the operating portion, the reliability of the operation of the opening and closing valve increases.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a front perspective view of an engine generator.

Fig. 2 is a side perspective view showing the internal structure of the engine generator.

Fig. 3 is a top partial sectional view showing the structure inside the tank.

Fig. 4 is a diagram showing the liquid level of the fuel and the structure of the evaporator pipe during the pouring.

Fig. 5 is a diagram showing a structure around a sub-frame of the engine generator.

Fig. 6 is a diagram showing a structure around the switch knob.

Detailed Description

[ integral Structure ]

The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

First, the appearance of the engine generator 1 will be described with reference to fig. 1. In fig. 1, Fr represents the front, and Lh represents the left.

The front-rear length of the engine generator 1 is larger than the left-right width. The front-rear direction of the engine generator 1 is the longitudinal direction, and the left-right direction is the short side direction.

The engine generator 1 includes an engine (not shown) and a generator (not shown) in a cover 10 which is a housing of the engine generator 1. The engine drives a generator to generate electric power. As shown in fig. 1, a control panel 24 is provided on the front surface of the engine generator 1. The control panel 24 is provided with an output terminal 22, a display lamp 23, switches, and the like. The electric power of the engine generator 1 is output from the output terminal 22, and the operating state of the engine generator 1 is recognized by the display lamp 23.

A handle 25 is provided on the upper portion of the engine generator 1, and the engine generator 1 can be easily transported by the handle 25.

The cover 10 is composed of a side cover 10a covering the side surface of the engine generator 1, a front cover 10c covering the front surface of the engine generator 1, a rear cover 10d covering the rear surface of the engine generator 1, and a lower cover 10b covering the lower portion of the engine generator 1.

The lower cover 10b is provided with a plurality of legs 26 for placement. The engine generator 1 generates power in a state where the legs 26 are placed on the ground or the like.

Next, the inside of the engine generator 1 will be described with reference to fig. 2.

A fuel tank 31 for storing fuel is provided in front of the engine generator 1. An air cleaner case 33 is provided behind the fuel tank 31 and on the right side of the engine generator 1. An engine filler port 34 is provided below the air cleaner case 33.

A partition wall 32 is provided at the rear of the engine generator 1, and the muffler disposition space is partitioned by the partition wall 32 inside the engine generator 1.

An engine and a generator, not shown, are disposed between the fuel tank 31 and the partition wall 32. Further, a fan, not shown, is driven by the engine, and generates cooling air inside the engine generator 1.

A tank 36 is disposed in a right side portion of a lower portion of the engine generator 1. The fuel such as gasoline evaporated in the fuel tank 31 is adsorbed in the canister 36. The canister 36 is connected to the fuel tank 31 via a supply line 41, and is connected to the air cleaner case 33 via a pipe 36 b. Thereby, the fuel and the like adsorbed in the canister 36 are discharged into the air cleaner case 33 when the engine generator 1 is operated.

A fuel injection pump 35 is disposed behind a tank 36 on the right side of the lower portion of the engine generator 1. The fuel injection pump 35 is connected to the fuel tank 31 through a fuel pipe 43. A fuel injection valve, not shown, is connected to the fuel injection pump 35 via a high-pressure pipe 35 a.

A return pipe 42 is connected to the fuel injection pump 35. The fuel is returned from the fuel injection pump 35 to the fuel tank 31 through the return pipe 42.

[ Fuel tank ]

A convex portion 31a protruding upward in a columnar shape is provided on the upper portion of the fuel tank 31, and the filling pipe 30a is attached to the convex portion 31 a. The inner diameter of the convex portion 31a is larger than the outer diameter of the filler pipe 30a, and a space is formed in the fuel tank 31 at the side of the lower portion of the filler pipe 30 a.

A filling cap 30 is attached to the upper portion of the filling pipe 30 a. A line indicating a filling limit as an upper limit of the fuel injection amount is displayed on the inner peripheral surface of the injection pipe 30 a.

The supply line 41 of the tank 36 is connected to an upper supply line 41a in the fuel tank 31. The upper supply line 41a is provided in the fuel tank 31, and the upper end of the upper supply line 41a is positioned between the projection 31a and the filler pipe 30 a.

The return pipe 42 is connected to an upper return pipe 42a in the fuel tank 31. The upper return pipe 42a is provided in the fuel tank 31, and the upper end of the upper return pipe 42a is also located between the convex portion 31a of the fuel tank 31 and the filler pipe 30 a.

[ switch knob ]

Further, a sub-frame 39 is provided from the lower cover 10b of the engine generator 1 to the handle 25 on the right side portion of the front side of the engine generator 1. A starter grip 38 connected to the recoil starter is held on the sub-frame 39. Further, a switch knob 37 is provided below the starting handle 38 on the sub-frame 39.

The switch knob 37 is an operation unit for turning on and off the engine.

The switch knob 37 is of a rotary type and is capable of switching between an "ON" (ON) position and an "OFF" (OFF) position. In the case of starting the engine generator 1, the switch knob 37 is turned to the "ON" position, and the engine of the engine generator 1 is started by the starting handle 38. When the engine generator 1 is stopped, the switch knob 37 is turned to the OFF position.

That is, the switch knob 37 is in the "ON" position when the engine generator 1 is in the operating state or the operation start state, and the switch knob 37 is in the "OFF" position when the engine generator 1 is in the stop state.

A switch 37b is provided near the switch knob 37. When the switch knob 37 is set to the "ON" position, the switch 37b is set to the "ON" state, and when the switch knob 37 is set to the "OFF" position, the switch 37b is set to the "OFF" state. The switch 37b allows the positions of the switch knob 37 to be recognized as "ON" and "OFF".

Both the switch knob 37 and the switch 37b are attached to the sub-frame 39, and the switch 37b can be reliably switched between "ON" and "OFF" by operating the switch knob 37.

[ piping inside Fuel tank ]

Next, the piping structure in the fuel tank 31 will be described with reference to fig. 3.

The upper and lower portions of the fuel tank 31 are each formed of a press-formed metal thin plate, and the fuel tank 31 is produced by welding them.

Therefore, a joint peripheral edge portion 31r is provided at the center in the vertical direction of the fuel tank 31. The upper and lower portions of the fuel tank 31 are joined to the joining peripheral edge portion 31r, and have a shape that extends forward, backward, leftward, and rightward at the joining peripheral edge portion 31 r.

A fuel supply port 31e connected to the fuel pipe 43 is provided at the bottom in the fuel tank 31, and fuel is supplied to the fuel injection pump 35 via the fuel supply port 31 e.

A joint forming portion 31c is provided on the right side portion of the fuel tank 31 at the vertical center portion. The joint forming portion 31c is provided at a position substantially at the same height as the joint peripheral edge portion 31r, and is provided adjacent to the joint peripheral edge portion 31r in the front portion of the fuel tank 31.

The joint forming portion 31c is provided with a lower end of an upper return pipe 42a and a lower end of an upper supply line 41a inside the fuel tank 31.

The upper return pipe 42a extends from the joint forming portion 31c toward the upper portion of the fuel tank 31. The upper end of the upper return pipe 42a is located between the boss 31a and the filler pipe 30a inside the fuel tank 31.

The upper supply line 41a extends from the joint forming portion 31c to the upper portion of the fuel tank 31 through the left side of the fuel tank 31 (the side opposite to the joint forming portion 31 c).

The upper supply line 41a is fixed to a bracket 31b provided at the center in the left-right direction in the fuel tank 31. Thus, the upper supply line 41a has a shape in which the J-shape is horizontal in a plan view.

That is, the upper supply line 41a extends from one side to the other side of the outer portion of the fuel tank 31 in the fuel tank 31, and is configured to return to the vicinity of the filling pipe 30a provided in the central portion by providing the folded portion 41b on the other side. In the fuel tank 31, a folded-back portion 41b is provided in the upper supply line 41a, and a U-shaped portion is provided in the piping shape.

Further, since the joint forming portion 31c is provided adjacent to the joining peripheral portion 31r of the fuel tank 31, the fuel tank 31 is easily molded. Further, in the fuel tank 31, the connection portion of the upper supply line 41a can be provided at the outer portion of the fuel tank 31.

Next, a case where the fuel is prevented from entering the tank 36 by the arrangement shape of the piping of the upper supply line 41a will be described with reference to fig. 4.

The upper supply line 41a is a piping portion provided in the fuel tank 31.

In fig. 4, the left side shows a state where the left side of the engine generator 1 is placed facing up, and the right side shows a state where the right side of the engine generator 1 is placed facing up.

That is, fig. 4 shows a state in which the engine generator 1 is laid down in the left-right direction (short-side direction).

In fig. 4, the two-dot chain line L indicates the height of the fuel level in the fuel tank 31 when the fuel tank 31 is filled up to the filling limit and is placed with the side surface facing upward. That is, the two-dot chain line L indicates the highest position of the fuel level when the engine generator is tilted to the short side (right side or left side). In addition, a fill limit for the fuel tank 31 is displayed on the filler pipe 30 a.

As shown in fig. 4, the end of the upper supply line 41a connected to the joint forming portion 31c of the fuel tank 31 is located above the two-dot chain line L with the right side face facing upward. The folded portion 41b of the upper supply line 41a is positioned above the two-dot chain line L with the left side facing upward.

In the upper supply line 41a connected to the tank 36, a portion located at the side of the fuel tank 31 is located at a position higher than the liquid level of the fuel when the left side surface or the right side surface faces upward.

That is, when the engine generator 1 is placed with one side surface (left side surface or right side surface) facing downward, the pipe connecting the fuel tank 31 and the tank 36 is provided at a position higher than the liquid level of the fuel on the other side surface (right side surface or left side surface).

Thus, even in a state where the side surface of the engine generator 1 faces upward, the fuel in the fuel tank 31 does not enter the canister 36 through the upper supply line 41 a.

In the fuel tank 31, one end of an upper supply line 41a is provided above a two-dot chain line L, which is a fuel liquid surface when the engine generator 1 is placed upside down, in the short side direction of the engine generator 1, and the upper supply line 41a passes above the two-dot chain line L on the opposite side.

Therefore, the piping arrangement of the upper supply line 41a can minimize the entire length of the upper supply line 41a and suppress the intrusion of the liquid fuel into the tank 36.

The configuration in which the upper supply line 41a is disposed in the left-right direction of the engine generator 1 is described. However, the upper supply line 41a may be disposed on a diagonal line of the fuel tank 31 in the fuel tank 31, for example, from the front right portion to the rear left portion, thereby preventing the liquid fuel from entering.

Further, since the upper supply line 41a is held by the bracket 31b in the fuel tank 31, the structure of the piping does not change due to contact with an obstacle or the like. Further, since the inside of the fuel tank 31 is used instead of the upper side of the fuel tank 31, the space above the fuel tank 31 can be effectively used.

For example, when the upper supply line 41a extends from the upper surface of the fuel tank 31 to the filling pipe 30a, a piping space is required between the upper surface of the fuel tank 31 and the inner surface of the cover 10.

However, by providing the upper supply line 41a in the fuel tank 31, the space required for piping can be used as the space of the fuel tank 31.

Next, a plurality of pipes connected to the fuel tank 31 will be described with reference to fig. 5.

The outer surface of the fuel tank 31 faces downward at a portion where the joint forming portion 31c is formed. In the joint forming portion 31c, the joint 31d and the joint 31f extend downward. The joint 31d and the joint 31f are connected to the upper end of the supply line 41 and the upper end of the return line 42, respectively.

The lower end side of the supply line 41 is connected to the tank 36 via a valve 50 and a pipe 41c, which are integrally formed with the open/close knob 37 and will be described later. This enables the fuel vaporized in the fuel tank 31 to be collected by the canister 36. That is, the piping for connecting the tank 36 and the fuel tank 31 is constituted by the upper supply line 41a, the supply line 41, and the pipe 41 c.

The return pipe 42 is connected to the fuel injection pump 35. The fuel pipe 43 is connected to the fuel injection pump 35 via a filter 43 b. This allows the fuel remaining in the fuel injection pump 35 to be returned to the fuel tank 31.

[ valve for tank ]

Next, a valve 50 for the tank 36 that opens and closes the path between the fuel tank 31 and the tank 36 will be described with reference to fig. 5 and 6.

The valve 50 is an opening/closing valve that is opened and closed by a rotation operation of a ball valve or the like. As the valve 50, a valve generally used as a fuel valve can be used.

The starting handle 38, the switch knob 37, and the switch 37b are held so as to be exposed on an outer surface of the sub-frame 39 facing the outside of the engine generator 1. The starting handle 38 and the switch knob 37 are exposed from the cover 10 to the outside of the engine generator 1, and the switch 37b is held between the sub-frame 39 and the cover 10.

This allows the switch 37b to be disposed at a position that is not easily affected by the influence of the internal pressure of the engine generator 1. Further, since the switch 37b is disposed on the sub-frame 39 together with the switch knob 37, the reliability of the response of the switch 37b to the switch knob 37 is improved.

The valve 50 is provided so as to be exposed on the inner surface of the sub-frame 39 facing the inside of the engine generator 1.

The valve 50 is fixed to the inner surface of the sub-frame 39 and is provided integrally with the switch knob 37. The valve 50 is a rotary opening and closing valve having the same rotation center as that of the opening and closing knob 37. The valve 50 is connected to an end portion of the opening/closing knob 37 inserted into the sub-frame 39, and opens and closes a path to the tank 36 in conjunction with the operation of the opening/closing knob 37.

When the switch knob 37 is in the "ON" position, the valve 50 opens a path connecting the supply line 41 and the tank 36. When the switch knob 37 is in the OFF position, the valve 50 closes a path connecting the supply line 41 and the tank 36.

The switch knob 37 and the valve 50 are coaxially disposed and integrally rotated. Therefore, the valve 50 can be operated without using a link mechanism or the like. The rotational shaft of the switch knob 37 and the rotational shaft of the valve 50 are provided on the same shaft. Thereby, the valve 50 can be operated to rotate by the rotation operation of the switch knob 37.

That is, when the switch knob 37 is in the "ON" position, the engine generator 1 is in an operating state or an operable state, and the path of the supply line 41 to the tank 36 is opened.

When the switch knob 37 is in the OFF position, the engine generator 1 is stopped, and the path of the supply line 41 to the tank 36 is closed.

The ON/OFF of the engine generator 1 and the opening and closing of the communication between the fuel tank 31 and the canister 36 are performed by the switch knob 37. Thereby, the number of components can be reduced and the engine generator 1 can be made lightweight as compared with the case where the operation is performed by other components separately. Further, as compared with the case where the operation is performed by separate members, the load involved in the operation can be reduced, and the operation of the switch knob 37 can be performed easily and smoothly.

Thus, the valve 50 is opened and closed in conjunction with the operation of the opening and closing knob 37, and the path between the fuel tank 31 and the canister 36 can be reliably opened and closed in accordance with the operating state of the engine generator 1.

Thus, even if fuel flows from the fuel tank 31 into the supply line 41 when the switch knob 37 is at the "OFF" position, the fuel can be prevented from flowing into the tank 36.

The sub-frame 39 is connected to a cover on which the engine and the lower part of the generator 1 are placed, and a handle 25 used when the engine generator 1 is lifted. In the engine generator 1, the sub-frame 39 itself is not easily deformed because the upper and lower end portions of the sub-frame 39 are connected to a member having high rigidity.

Since the sub-frame 39 is provided with the valve 50 for opening and closing the path to the tank 36, the relative position between the fuel tank 31 and the valve 50 is not easily changed and the supply line 41 is not easily affected when the engine generator 1 receives an impact.

In addition, a tank 36 is mounted on the lower portion of the engine generator 1. The filter 43b is also mounted on the sub-frame 39, and the fuel injection pump 35 is also mounted on the lower portion of the engine generator 1.

A joint 31f is provided on the lower surface of the fuel tank 31, and a valve 50 is provided below the joint 31 f. Further, a valve 50 is provided between the joint 31f to which the supply line 41 is connected and the tank 36. Therefore, the supply line 41 can be shortened without greatly bending the supply line 41. Further, the space below the fuel tank 31 can be effectively utilized.

In this way, the shape of the upper supply line 41a disposed in the fuel tank 31 and the valve 50 provided between the fuel tank 31 and the canister 36 prevent fuel from entering the canister 36.

Even if the engine generator 1 is tilted in a state where the fuel is fully loaded to the filling limit, the fuel is less likely to enter the tank 36 due to the shape of the upper supply line 41 a. Further, the outflow of the fuel can be prevented by the valve 50 even if the engine generator 1 falls down during transportation.

The above-described embodiment is merely one embodiment of the present invention, and modifications and applications can be arbitrarily made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

In the above-described embodiment, the portable engine generator is described as an example of the engine generator, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention can be applied to an engine generator having a tank connected to a fuel tank via a pipe.

Description of the reference symbols

1: an engine generator;

10: a cover;

31: a fuel tank;

36: a tank;

37: a switch knob;

39: a sub-frame;

41: a supply line;

41 a: an upper supply line;

41 b: a fold-back section;

41 c: a tube;

50: and (4) a valve.

Claims

1. An engine generator having, inside a housing: a generator; an engine driving the generator; a fuel tank for storing fuel to be supplied to the engine; a canister that traps fuel that evaporates within the fuel tank; and a pipe for connecting the canister and the fuel tank,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the piping has a piping portion provided in the fuel tank,

the piping portion extends above a liquid level of the fuel in the fuel tank with one of the short sides of the casing facing downward,

the piping portion has a portion that passes through the fuel tank from above the liquid level of the fuel with the other side surface of the short side of the case facing downward.

2. The engine generator of claim 1,

an opening/closing valve is provided in a pipe that communicates the canister with the fuel tank.

3. The engine generator of claim 2,

the on-off valve is linked with an operation unit that turns on and off the engine.

4. The engine generator of claim 3,

the opening and closing valve and the operation portion are provided coaxially and integrally.